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Just because gas prices have dropped doesn’t mean Ohio should build more highways. Recently, 700 Sierra Club members commented on the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) 2014 Statewide Transit Needs Study. Now we have the opportunity to weigh in on the specific projects that ODOT will fund in 2015-2018.

We hope you can join the Sierra Club for our annual Chapter Retreat. As one of the largest and most influential environmental organizations in the state, this is the time each year where we celebrate our victories, renew our spirits, and make our plans the year ahead. All are welcome, and meals will be provided for members who register.

Columbus, OH – Climate change took center stage during a panel discussion at The Ohio State University last week. The event, held at Ohio State’s Ohio Farm Bureau in Columbus hosted students and professor as the University’s Earth Day events kick into full swing.

Trish Demeter from the Ohio Environmental Council moderated the forum featuring three Ohio State experts: Thomas Blaine, environmental economist and an extension associate professor; Roger Williams, professor; and Aparna Dial, director of Energy Services and Sustainability.

Ohio State took steps to fight climate change and reduce its carbon footprint in 2008 with the creation of the university’s Climate Action Plan. The plan targets carbon neutrality by 2050, one of many ongoing sustainability efforts underway at the university.

“The Ohio State University is dedicated to being a global leader in sustainable practice and graduating global citizens who will help solve some of the world’s most compelling issues. The university demonstrated its commitment to carbon neutrality by becoming a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2008 and developing an implementable Climate Action Plan. The university was awarded the 2014 EPA Green Power Partner of the Year for its wind power purchase and named Big Ten EPA Green Power Conference Champion twice, using more green power than any Big Ten university. Ohio State uses several renewable energy sources including solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems. The university also uses biofuel and hybrid electric buses and plans to integrate clean-burning CNG buses in 2015. Ohio Stadium’s Zero Waste program won the National Gameday Recycling Championship two consecutive years achieving a game high diversion rate of 98.68 percent.” Dial said.

Climate change is recognized across the state and Blaine said he believes Ohio will look different in 2050 as a result: “We are already seeing changes to our ecosystems, which are almost certain to accelerate given current trends.”

Williams, who serves as an Ohio State professor, conducts fire research and trains firefighters, believes climate change could spark dangerously dry conditions statewide.

“Drier climates will create drier soils, drier vegetation and more available fuels,” Williams said. “Warmer temperatures will mean less heat is needed to be applied to fuels to bring them to ignition, thus making longer fire seasons.”

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